Head of Programmes

Country Trust Head of Programmes 

Employed contract

• Hours: 21 per week
• Salary/contract rate : £43-45,000 FTE depending on experience
• Location: Ideally within easy reach of Chelmsford. Hybrid/homeworking 
• Employed contract – benefits 
• Annual leave: 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (FTE) 
• Benefits: Workplace pension
• Reporting to: CEO 

If you are excited by this role but you would like to discuss the hours, or a possible combination with the Impact and Learning Lead role also being advertised please contact us at senior-recruitment@countrytrust.org.uk

About The Country Trust 

As a nation we've lost our connection with the land that sustains us all, with big and urgent ramifications for health, sustainability and equality. The Country Trust is changing this through high quality food, farming and countryside experiences that empower children in the most disadvantaged communities across the UK. For 45 years, we've worked with farmers to bring the countryside alive for over 600,000 children least able to access it. Our impactful programmes include the Food Discovery Programme, Countryside Discovery Residentials, Farm Discovery, Farm in a Box and Plant Your Pants. 

About the Role 

As the Head of Programmes, you will take on a strategic leadership role, managing the team of Programme Managers and deputising for the CEO when required. You will ensure each programme flourishes while encouraging collaboration across teams and with external partners to meet our ambitious objectives. This is a hybrid role, allowing you to work from home and travel to see our programmes in action nationwide. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Line managing senior programme staff, including a dispersed workforce 
• Overseeing operational demands and change management 
• Financial management - budgeting, forecasting, invoices, embracing fundraising 
• Actively promoting equality of opportunity and being a powerful advocate for our cause 
• Confident communication and stakeholder engagement across sectors 
• Supporting strategic direction and deputising for the CEO when required 

You will work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team of 10, and a delivery team of around 40 colleagues. 

About You 

We are seeking an exceptional communicator and versatile senior leader committed to providing quality opportunities for disadvantaged children. You must have: 

• Proven success line managing senior programme staff and a dispersed workforce 
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting 
• Working with the Impact and Learning Lead to ensure broad and deep understanding and implementation of our Theory of Change and our values, that evaluation and learning are embedded throughout the organisation and that we are known for the quality of our reporting, with all our activities and reporting informed by meaningful data. 
• To identify and develop key partnerships to enable us to extend our reach and our impact. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Confidence and competence to act at Board level and deputise for CEO 

Additionally, you should have: 

• Strategic thinking abilities to balance priorities and find solutions 
• A collaborative approach suited to a dynamic team environment 
• A desire to support colleagues' growth and development 
• The ability to build successful, effective partnerships – our 5 Year Plan goals are dependent on working with and through others 
• An understanding of the reality of the lives of disadvantaged children and the barriers they face in developing a first-hand connection with the land. 
• Passion for food, farming, and the countryside.      

This is a fulfilling opportunity to play a vital role in an organisation dedicated to reconnecting children with the land and creating a sustainable, equal future. 

Supporting documents / links: 

Our Vision and Mission: www.countrytrust.org.uk/our-mission/vision-and-mission

Our Impact: www.countrytrust.org.uk/our-mission/our-impact

Closing date: midnight 5th May 
Shortlisting: w/c 6th May 
Interviews: w/c 20th May (to be confirmed) 

Due to our safer recruitment policy, we cannot accept CVs for this position.